# US 9,433,814 B2 · Toning garment with integrated damper > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,814 B2 - Document ID: US9433814B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/450,228 - Filed: 2014-08-02 - Published: 2014-11-13 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-19 - Assignees: Tau Orthopedics, LLC - Applicants: Tau Orthopedics, LLC - Inventors: Kaitlin von Hoffmann; Gerard von Hoffmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433814B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/4011: {to the lower limbs (means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057)} - A63B 21/02: using resilient force-resisters - A63B 21/4017: {to the upper limbs} - A63B 21/4039: {contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support (arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033)} - A63B 23/04: for lower limbs {(training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00)} - A63B 23/0494: {primarily by articulating the knee joints (A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence)} - A63B 21/0083: {of the piston-cylinder type (using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087)} - A63B 21/0087: {of the piston-cylinder type (using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083)} - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 23/02: for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso {muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)} - A63B 23/1281: {primarily by articulating the elbow joint} - A63B 2208/14: specially adapted for animals - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract Disclosed is a muscle toning garment with force dampening resistance elements, which may be fluid filled rotary dampers. The garment provides resistance training throughout an angular range of motion. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath conventional clothing. Toning may thereby be accomplished throughout the wearer's normal daily activities, without the need for access to conventional exercise equipment. Alternatively, the device may be worn as a supplemental training tool during conventional training techniques. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A toning garment, comprising: a waist; a left leg, extending across a left hip; a right leg, extending across a right hip; a left fluid filled damper at the left hip, comprising a housing and a rotatable connector; the housing secured with respect to the waist by adhesive; and a right fluid filled damper at the right hip; wherein each of the left and right dampers are secured with respect to the corresponding leg by a femoral lever extending inferiorly from the damper and each of the left and right dampers is secured with respect to the hip by a force dissipation layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the rotatable connector is linked to the leg by the femoral lever so that flexion or extension at the hip causes the connector to rotate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A toning garment as in claim 2, wherein the lever is sufficiently flexible in the medial lateral direction to conform to the leg of a wearer when the garment is worn. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A toning garment as in claim 3, further comprising at least one force dissipation panel attached to the lever. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the left and right dampers are removably secured to the garment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A toning garment as in claim 1, comprising at least one panel of compression fabric. ### Claim 7 A lower body toning garment, comprising: a waist portion, a right leg and a left leg; a left rotation point on a lateral side of the left leg and a right rotation point on a lateral side of the right leg, the left and right rotation points configured to be functionally aligned with a transverse axis of rotation extending through the center of rotation of a wearer's right and left hip in an as worn orientation; a left resistance unit mounted at the left rotation point; a right resistance unit mounted at the right rotation point; each of the left and right resistance units comprising a housing and a lever arm rotatable through a range of motion; the housing for the left resistance unit is attached to the garment at the left rotation point and a left lever arm is attached to the left leg; and the housing for the right resistance unit is attached to the garment at the right rotation point and a right lever arm is attached to the right leg, wherein each of the left and right resistance units comprises a fluid filled damper, and the fluid comprises an electro-rheological fluid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, additionally comprising a force dissipation layer attached to each of the right and left legs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, additionally comprising a force dissipation layer attached to each of the right and left lever arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 10 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide from about 5 inch pounds to about 50 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 15 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 20 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, wherein each of the left and right resistance units is removably mounted to the garment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A lower body toning garment as in claim 11, wherein each of the left and right resistance units maintains resistance within a range, the range extending from a minimum to a maximum and the maximum is no more than about 200% of the minimum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A lower body toning garment as in claim 15, wherein the maximum is no more than about 50% greater than the minimum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A lower body toning garment as in claim 15, wherein the maximum is no more than about 10% greater than the minimum. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) A lower body toning garment as in claim 8, wherein the force dissipation layer comprises one or more filaments having a low stretch axis extending in the as worn anterior posterior direction within about 45 degrees up and 45 degrees down from horizontal with the garment in a vertical orientation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 7) A lower body toning garment as in claim 7, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A lower body toning garment as in claim 19, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A lower body toning garment as in claim 19, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure. ### Claim 22 A toning garment, comprising: a waist; a left leg, extending across a left hip; a right leg, extending across a right hip; a left fluid filled damper at the left hip, comprising a housing and a rotatable connector, the housing secured with respect to the waist; and a right fluid filled damper at the right hip; wherein each of the left and right dampers are secured with respect to the corresponding leg by a femoral lever extending inferiorly from the damper and each of the left and right dampers is secured with respect to the hip by a force dissipation layer secured to the garment by stitching. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A toning garment as in claim 22, wherein the rotatable connector is linked to the leg by the femoral lever so that flexion or extension at the hip causes the connector to rotate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A toning garment as in claim 23, wherein the femoral lever is sufficiently flexible in the medial lateral direction to conform to the leg of a wearer when the garment is worn. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A toning garment as in claim 24, further comprising at least one force dissipation panel attached to the femoral lever. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A toning garment as in claim 22, wherein the left and right dampers are removably secured to the garment. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) A toning garment as in claim 22, comprising at least one panel of compression fabric. ### Claim 28 A lower body toning garment, comprising: a waist portion, a right leg and a left leg; a left rotation point on a lateral side of the left leg and a right rotation point on a lateral side of the right leg, the left and right rotation points configured to be functionally aligned with a transverse axis of rotation extending through a center of rotation of a wearer's right and left hip in an as worn orientation; a left resistance unit mounted at the left rotation point; a right resistance unit mounted at the right rotation point; each of the left and right resistance units comprising a housing and a lever arm rotatable through a range of motion; the housing for the left resistance unit is attached to the garment at the left rotation point and a left lever arm is attached to the left leg; and the housing for the right resistance unit is attached to the garment at the right rotation point and a right lever arm is attached to the right leg, wherein each of the left and right resistance units comprises a fluid filled damper, and the fluid comprises a magneto-rheological fluid. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, additionally comprising a force dissipation layer attached to each of the right and left legs. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, additionally comprising a force dissipation layer attached to each of the right and left lever arms. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 10 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide from about 5 inch pounds to about 50 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 15 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, wherein each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 20 inch pounds of torque. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) A lower body toning garment as in claim 32, wherein each of the left and right resistance units maintains resistance within a range, the range extending from a minimum to a maximum and the maximum is no more than about 200% of the minimum. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A lower body toning garment as in claim 35, wherein the maximum is no more than about 50% greater than the minimum. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) A lower body toning garment as in claim 35, wherein the maximum is no more than about 10% greater than the minimum. ### Claim 38 (depends on 29) A lower body toning garment as in claim 29, wherein the force dissipation layer comprises one or more filaments having a low stretch axis extending in the as worn anterior posterior direction within about 45 degrees up and 45 degrees down from horizontal with the garment in a vertical orientation. ### Claim 39 (depends on 28) A lower body toning garment as in claim 28, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A lower body toning garment as in claim 39, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) A lower body toning garment as in claim 39, comprising a fabric which exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.